Taxi fares set to rise in the East Riding
It's amid mounting costs for drivers
Taxi fares in the East Riding are set to rise for the first time in eight years amid mounting costs for drivers.
East Riding Council’s Cabinet backed proposals that would see fares rise by between 12.8 and 16.5 per cent, depending on the day, time and length of journey.
Drivers would be able to charge up to ÂŁ2.55 for the first 328 yards during the day midweek, up from ÂŁ2.30, and 15p for every subsequent 150 yards.
Council Public Protection Portfolio Holder Cllr Kerri Harold said the increase would help keep the industry afloat amid rising fuel costs.
It comes as the council’s public consultation with the industry and taxi users is set to run this month ahead of hikes taking effect from Friday, July 1.
The rates the council sets are the maximum drivers can charge for fares but they are free to set prices below the limits.
Proposed hikes would see drivers able to charge 15p for every subsequent 150 yards rather than the current 176.
The fare for a four-mile journey would rise from ÂŁ8.15 to ÂŁ9.25 during the day and from ÂŁ10.30 to ÂŁ11.95 at night.
The price of the same journey, roughly the distance from Beverley to Cherry Burton, would rise from the current rate of ÂŁ12.70 on bank and public holidays to ÂŁ14.45.
A nine-mile journey would cost ÂŁ18.10 during the day, up from the current ÂŁ15.65, with night time rates rising from ÂŁ20.30 to ÂŁ23.75.
Nine-mile journeys on holidays would cost ÂŁ29.20, up from ÂŁ25.20.
Fares for 11-mile journeys, equivalent to a taxi ride from Beverley to Hessle, would go up from ÂŁ18.65 to ÂŁ21.55 during the day.
They would rise from ÂŁ24.30 to ÂŁ28.35 for a night time trip and from ÂŁ30.20 to ÂŁ35.20 on holidays.
A 13-mile trip would go up to ÂŁ25.15 from ÂŁ21.65 during the day, ÂŁ33.15 from ÂŁ28.30 at night and ÂŁ40.95 from ÂŁ35.20 on holidays.
A journey of 14 miles, roughly the same as travelling from Driffield to Bridlington, would increase from ÂŁ23.15 to ÂŁ26.95 in the day and from ÂŁ30.30 to ÂŁ35.55 at night.
The same journey would rise in price from ÂŁ37.70 to ÂŁ43.70 on holidays.
Extra charges are also set to go up, with fees for each person in excess of one going up from 30p to 35p.
The charge for each person in excess of four would remain at ÂŁ1.20.
Fees for taking dogs would go up from 60p to almost 61p per animal while charges for luggage carried in taxi boots would rise from 30p to 50p.
Charges for contamination inside the vehicle would rise from ÂŁ60 to ÂŁ70, with external fees rising from ÂŁ20 to ÂŁ25.
Councillors heard the proposed hikes came following requests from the industry amid rising costs for fuel, new cars, and other outgoings.
Officers told the Cabinet it would not be economically to hike fares every year in line with inflation because of the administrative costs of doing so.
But councillors recommended the East Riding’s Licensing Committee look into whether they could be reviewed every two years.
Community Involvement Portfolio Holder Cllr David Elvidge said the increases were long overdue.
Public Protection Portfolio Holder Cllr Harold said it would protect the industry which serves some of the most vulnerable in the East Riding.
The Cabinet member said: “The industry is so important for our area because of its rural geography, many residents rely on taxis.
“Vulnerable people rely on them to get to and from appointments so this is a no-brainer.”